The Minnesota Timberwolves have reshaped their roster with a major four-team trade, acquiring LaMelo Ball and Josh Green as the franchise looks to take the final step toward competing for an NBA championship.
The deal, which also involved the Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, and Chicago Bulls, reflects Minnesota’s determination to add an elite playmaker capable of easing the offensive burden on superstar Anthony Edwards. Team president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said Ball’s talent and long-term potential made the significant investment worthwhile.
Minnesota Pays a High Price
To complete the trade, the Timberwolves sent fan favorite Naz Reid to Charlotte along with a substantial package of future draft assets. The Hornets received an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, first-round swap rights in 2028, 2029, and 2030, plus second-round selections in 2029, 2032, and 2033.
Julius Randle, the Timberwolves’ second-leading scorer last season, was traded to Brooklyn. As part of the broader transaction, the Nets moved from the 28th pick to the 33rd pick in last month’s NBA Draft, allowing Minnesota to select guard Isaiah Evans. The move also created salary cap flexibility that enabled the Timberwolves to re-sign guard Ayo Dosunmu.
Building Around Anthony Edwards
Connelly said Ball’s arrival should elevate the team while giving the former All-Star an opportunity to continue developing in a stronger basketball environment. The executive acknowledged the steep cost of the trade but emphasized that adding a proven point guard was a priority for a team with championship ambitions.
Edwards, selected first overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, now joins Ball, the third overall pick that year, along with Green, who was selected 18th overall, and Jaden McDaniels, the 28th pick. The Timberwolves now feature four first-round selections from the 2020 draft class, all aged 25 or younger.
Joking about the team’s aggressive approach, Connelly remarked that Minnesota may have exhausted its draft capital for the next decade before adding that success is built on quality rather than quantity. He described the move as giving the franchise additional opportunities to compete for a championship during Edwards’ prime years.
Ball Ready for a Fresh Start
Ball said he has already been in contact with Edwards and expressed excitement about joining his new team. “Everyone is excited, and we’re ready to get to work,” he said during his introductory news conference at the Target Center.
Although injuries limited Ball to appearing in only 43% of Charlotte’s games between 2022 and 2025, he bounced back with a promising 2025-26 campaign that helped the Hornets reach the NBA Play-In Tournament. Minnesota believes that surrounded by a more experienced roster, Ball can make a significant impact while providing the playmaking and leadership the Timberwolves have been seeking.